Madrid Open 2026: Women’s Singles Draw Preview and Prediction featuring Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff

The Madrid Open is the season’s first WTA 1000 clay-court tournament. Aryna Sabalenka will enter the tournament as the defending champion.

Last year, she defeated Coco Gauff to win her third title in the tournament. The tournament will feature several other past champions, including Iga Swiatek, who lifted the title in 2024 by beating the Belarusian.

Tournament Details

• Defending Champion: Aryna Sabalenka
• Tournament: 2026 Madrid Open
• Date: March 21- May 2
• No. of Entrants: 96 (Singles)
• Venue: Park Manzanares
• Surface: Outdoor clay court
• Total Prize Money Pool: $9.7 million (approximately)

Top seeds at the Madrid Open 2026

• Aryna Sabalenka
• Elena Rybakina
• Coco Gauff
• Iga Swiatek
• Jessica Pegula
• Amanda Anisimova
• Elina Svitolina
• Jasmine Paolini
• Mirra Andreeva
• Victoria Mboko

First quarter

Aryna Sabalenka will headline the first quarter. She won the title for the first time in 2021 and doubled her tally in 2023.

The defending champion could face fellow four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the fourth round. In the quarterfinals, she could face Jasmine Paolini. The other seeded players in the draw are: Jaqueline Cristian, Marie Bouzkova, Belinda Bencic, and Hailey Baptiste.

Quarterfinal prediction: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Jasmine Paolini

Second quarter

The seeded players in the draw are: Iga Swiatek, Ann Li, Leylah Fernandez, Iva Jovic, Mirra Andreeva, Anna Kalinskaya, Wang Xinyu, and Elina Svitolina. Swiatek will be hoping to end her title drought in the tournament. She last tasted success at the 2025 Korea Open.

Andreeva is a two-time quarterfinalist in Madrid, reaching the stage in the previous two seasons. Swiatek could meet rising star Jovic in the fourth round, while in the quarterfinals, she could either face Andreeva or Svitolina.

Quarterfinal prediction: Iga Swiatek vs. Elina Svitolina

Third quarter

This quarter features Jessica Pegula, the Madrid Open finalist in 2022. In the fourth round, Pegula could set up a clash with 2025 Canadian Open champion Victoria Mboko.

And in the quarterfinals, Pegula could face last year’s Madrid Open runner-up Coco Gauff, also the 2025 French Open champion. Gauff, who played this year’s Miami Open final, has won two clay-court titles so far. The other seeded players in this quarter are: Marta Kostyuk, Clara Tauson, Linda Noskova, Sorana Cirstea, and Liudmila Samsonova.

Quarterfinal prediction: Jessica Pegula vs. Coco Gauff

Fourth quarter

This quarter features World No.2 Elena Rybakina, who clinched her second title at the Stuttgart Open and also reached the final of the Australian Open and the Indian Wells Masters. She beat Sabalenka in the Major event but lost in the latter event.

Rybakina could clash with Madison Keys in the fourth round and Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals. Jelena Ostapenko is also a part of this quarterfinal.

Quarterfinal prediction: Amanda Anisimova vs. Elena Rybakina

Semifinals

Although clay is Swiatek’s favorite surface, she has yet to rediscover her form. Sabalenka trails 5-8 in the head-to-head matchups against the six-time Major champion but won their last two meetings.

Gauff has already proved her prowess on clay, but Rybakina’s five titles on the surface have also proved that she is quite a dangerous opponent. Rybakina will be bidding to reach the Madrid Open final for the first time.

Semifinal prediction:

• Iga Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka
• Coco Gauff vs. Elena Rybakina

Final

If Sabalenka reaches the final, she will be the heavy favorite to win the title. She has already lifted three titles this season.

After her Brisbane win and Australian Open defeat to Rybakina, she completed the Sunshine Double (beat Rybakina in Indian Wells and Gauff in Miami). Against Rybakina, she holds a 10-7 head-to-head record, also winning their last two meetings.

• Final prediction: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina
• Winner prediction: Aryna Sabalenka

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